About The Author

Lou Black is an avid amateur golfer who lives in Salem, Oregon. In spite of Oregon's rain, he managed to play over 120 days in 2008. He is living his retirement dream: play golf, help family and friends, build things, read, travel, and have coffee with his buddies.

Lou is a member of Crosscreek Golf Course, a public course that opened membership in 2008. Lou owns membership card #1, something he'd never mention but those around him do.

Born in Illinois, Lou moved with his family to the Los Angeles area when he was 14. He was the first in generations of his family to attend college, and he used athletics to get there. He trained tirelessly, on his own at first, to become a high school sensation, whose records remained for decades at Upland High. He continued his basketball career at Chico State University, where he also played soccer, breaking records as a goalie.

Lou earned his Master's Defree in Coaching from CSU then began his teaching career in Northern California, moving to Salem to coach basketball, soccer, and eventually serve as Dean of Men at Western Babtist College, now Corban College. The last 28 years of Lou's career were spent at State Farm Insurance. He retired in 2005 and, although he enjoyed his career, he hasn't stopped grinning since.

Lou shares a 1941 cottage with his wife, Jan. Their three grown children and their families live within an hour of Salem. Lou is an enthusiastic father and grandfather.

Writing is new to Lou, and so is blogging.